Our 18-year-old Main Coon is on his final journey over the next few weeks. He was diagnosed with diabetes, and my husband and I have chosen not to subject him to the many weeks of stabilization. He is my husband's cat and I think he may be able to accept a new friend by July, if possible.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Answers

I am so sorry about your boy. Have you heard that some vets are experimenting with the insulin that humans use? I was just speaking to my breeder today about it. She had to lease most of her cats out due to a severe illness in her family. Unfortunately, her prized breeding male was not taken care of, so she went and got him. He lost a lot of weight and they thought they would have to put him down. He too was diagnosed with diabetes. However, he is only a few years old, and the vet thinks it was stress induced. They have been treating him with the insulin, and he is on the road back. I know this is not the same as your situation, but I thought I'd mention it. It's so hard to accept that our kitties will get old one day and leave us. I lost my DLH boy of 16 a little over a year ago. I took that opportunity to finally get the Maine Coons that I've always wanted. Yes, I got two! They have helped so much with easing the pain. I hope when the time comes that your new one(s) will help as much as mine have. Please let us know how things are.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

I know how hard it is to loose part of your life and family. My husband and I had to put down our 12 year old DSH 10 months after putting down our 15 year old Korat. But literally the next day ,I went to a breeder (I had scheuled the meeting two weeks prior) and got the love of our lives! A new baby will never replace the one(s) you've just lost, but makes life a much happier place. Good luck!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001